25
Texas Hill Country, 1953
Ruby stared at the barren, frostbitten hills from the bedroom window of her sister’s home, where she’d been staying since seeking shelter from her father a week ago. Another round of coughing racked her body, and she fought to catch her breath.
Outside of her room, a door slammed, and she recoiled under the thick blanket. She could still hear the deafening argument between her father and brother-in-law that had shaken the walls. Pulling the quilt that Patricia had made up to her neck, she listened to voices in the hallway.
Her mother opened the door. “Ruby, Doc Schmidt is here.” Mercy held the door for the old country doctor.
Doc Schmidt shuffled in. “Miss Ruby, I hear you have a bad cough.”
“Among other conditions,” Mercy said, throwing a pointed look at
